I had just completed my PhD and had a postdoc lined up on the other side of the world. Think expensive flights, finding a place to rent in an unfamiliar city, not a lot in the bank, and no bank account in my new country. Members of the research group I was joining recommended where to stay and helped me find a place. My future supervisor though, they picked me up from the airport, arranged a week’s temporary accommodation, and paid first month’s rent and deposit while I waited for my bank account to be sorted out. I only realised after I presented them with a cheque to pay them back that they had never intended me to. I was so proud of having an official document (the cheque) with my full name and title on it! But that level of kindness and support has stayed with me my whole career.
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Welcome
Academia is a strange place to work. Most of the stereotypes are true to a point, but there are a lot of amazing people in our universities. How often do we share the stories of when people helped us? How often do we say thanks?
The grateful academic project exists to help you share the stories. Random acts of academic kindness, that time someone said something that made a big difference, the difference a short chat can make. Let’s get better at sharing those stories.
To submit your story, please complete the form.
https://forms.gle/42mjuXjHiajFMAV59
Submission is anonymous, and we recommend generalising your story, referring to people by roles or pseudonyms, and avoiding detailed accounts of circumstances that could identify you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us by email: musing_cabana_0k@icloud.com.
The Grateful Academic Project 